Aaron Rodgers unites with Russell Wilson over ‘common enemy’ Sean Payton following the Broncos QB getting benched

Aaron Rodgers praised Russell Wilson for handling things very well, despite being threatened to the bench by Denver.

Aaron Rodgers unites with Russell Wilson over ‘common enemy’ Sean Payton following the Broncos QB getting benched

Aaron Rodgers, Sean Payton and Russell Wilson (Via SI/DAZN/The Seattle Times)

The quote “The enemy of the enemy is a friend ” remains prevalent in sports. Aaron Rodgers seems influenced by this quote. Rodgers joined forces with Russell Wilson over common enemy Sean Payton amidst the whole contract drama.

Lately, quarterback Wilson has become one of the key highlights in the news after being forced to get benched for the remaining two weeks of the 2023 regular season. The whole drama comes down to one point: Denver Broncos wanted to avoid paying the quarterback the $37 million mentioned in his contract as an injury guarantee. Wilson would have become entitled to claim that amount if he failed the physical in March due to any injury.

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The Broncos’ abrupt decision to bench Wilson wasn’t a surprise to him, as the team had given him an ultimatum. This was to either change the injury guarantee or get benched after the victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in week 8. As the quarterback didn’t do as they asked, the franchise benched him and will likely release him in March.

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Many sports personalities and players have come forward in support of Wilson. Rodgers became the latest one to back Wilson. This is what Rodgers said:

Russ and I have had some battles over the years. I think we have more of a common enemy based on some comments that have been said about a dear friend of mine and then seeing this come out.
Rodgers via Pat McAfee Show

In the Wilson-Broncos drama, the team specifically being criticized for treating Wilson poorly is head coach Payton. Rodgers lent his full support to the 35-year-old quarterback. He also praised Wilson for handling things very well despite being threatened to the bench.

Rodgers-Payton rivalry that started with Nathaniel Hackett

Jets quarterback Rodger’s feud with the Broncos’ head coach Sean Payton at the start of the 2023 regular season, when Payton attacked his offensive coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett. Payton had just joined the Broncos at that time after Hackett’s disastrous season with the team in 2022.

Nathaniel Hackett and Aaron Rodgers
Nathaniel Hackett and Aaron Rodgers (Via New York Post)

Rodgers and Hackett have a long history of working together, as they were in the Green Bay Packers from 2019 to 2021. They reunited when Hackett joined New York as offensive coordinator this season. That’s why when Payton blamed Hackett for Denver’s poor 4-11 season in 2022 and the regression of quarterback Wilson, Rodgers did not like it all and took it very personally.

Rodgers told Peter Schrager on NFL Network that Payton was “way out of line.” He called his scantling criticism “inappropriate” as the veteran quarterback won both of his recent NFL MVP awards under Hackett at Green Bay.

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